US and European defence ministers signaled agreement this week that NATO must evolve, with European allies taking on a greater share of the burden for continental defence. While the goals are broadly shared, the motivations on either side of the Atlantic differ. Washington wants to focus more on other global regions, particularly the Indo-Pacific, while Europeans are increasingly wary of relying on an unpredictable US administration.
US Under Secretary of War Eldridge Colby framed the vision as “NATO 3.0,” calling on European nations to assume primary responsibility for conventional defence in Europe. “Europe should field the preponderance of the forces required to deter and, if necessary, defeat conventional aggression in Europe,” Colby said at the Brussels meeting.
A Growing European Role
The message of greater European responsibility is not new, but Brussels saw ministers demonstrating that action is already underway. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described the meeting as pivotal, highlighting a “real shift in mindset” and a strengthening of Europe’s role within the alliance.
Several nations are leading the way, with Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland already exceeding the target of spending 3.5% of GDP on defence — a benchmark agreed last summer following pressure from the US amid concerns over the commitment to NATO’s collective defence clause.
Preparing for a New Strategic Balance
The push comes amid recent tensions, including former President Trump’s threat to take military action against Denmark over Greenland. NATO has responded by increasing Arctic vigilance while diplomatic talks continue between Denmark, Greenland, and the US.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized that Europeans must gradually assume more responsibility for the continent’s defence. “In order to keep NATO transatlantic, it is necessary to make it more European, to take over more European responsibility,” he said. French and Romanian officials echoed the call, urging stronger European defence production and greater self-reliance while maintaining cooperation with NATO and the US.
Rebalancing Command and Presence
Some rebalancing is already happening. The US has signaled a pullback, announcing it will not replace a rotating infantry brigade in Romania. European allies have also assumed greater leadership roles in NATO’s command structure, though the US still heads Allied Land, Air, and Maritime Commands.
Rutte stressed the importance of retaining an American as Supreme Allied Commander Europe, ensuring a robust US military presence while allowing Europe to take on more operational responsibility. The emerging model reflects a practical division of labour: Europe builds its capabilities and leadership, while the US maintains strategic oversight and strength, preserving the transatlantic bond that underpins NATO.
